Ralston P. Lanius

Ralston P. "Lonnie" Lanius was born October 27, 1926 in Davidson County, the youngest of nine children, to the late Noel Price Lanius and Ida Seinor Lanius Saunders. He was the husband of the late Dollie Lucile McKennon Lanius who preceded him in death 14 years ago. R.P. retired as a truck driver with American Freight Systems and also enjoyed farming and playing Santa Claus. He was the past chaplain with Teamsters Local 480 Retirees Chapter and was a 32nd degree Mason with the Columbia Lodge #31. R.P. was a member of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Columbia.

Survivors include three sons, William "Bill" Lanius of Nashville, Bobby W. Sandra Lanius of Smyrna and Lonnie R. Pamela Lanius of College Grove; five grandchildren, Tracy Watts, Trudy Johnson, Chastity Wilburn, Shannon Lanius and Lori Ethridge; four great-grandchildren, Bailey Ethridge, Chloe Ethridge, Journey Lanius and Corbin Wilburn. In addition to his wife and parents, R.P. was preceded in death by one grandson, Jeff Lanius and eight brothers and sisters.

Mr. Lanius passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2012, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services for Mr. Lanius will be conducted Thursday at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Columbia with Rev. Calvin Lunn officiating and a brother-in-law, Collin McKennon speaking on behalf of the family. Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. at Mt. Olivet Cemetery on Lebanon Road in Nashville

The family will visit with friends on Wednesday from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home with a Masonic service at 7:00 P.M.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Young, Gene Lanius, Ricky Lanius, Butch Lanius, Don Lanius and Tommy Lanius. Honorary pallbearers will be retirees from the Teamsters Local 480 chapter.